Everything You Need to Know About Earth Day

Earth Day is an annual event created to celebrate the planet’s environment and raise public awareness about pollution. The day, marked on April 22, is observed worldwide with rallies, conferences, outdoor activities and service projects.

Earth Day is an annual event created to celebrate the planet’s environment and raise public awareness about pollution. The day, marked on April 22, is observed worldwide with rallies, conferences, outdoor activities and service projects.

Started as a grassroots movement, Earth Day created public support for the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and contributed to the passage of the Clean Air Act, the Water Quality Improvement Act, the Endangered Species Act and several other environmental laws. The idea for Earth Day was proposed by then-Sen. Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin, who died in 2005.

This year, the environmental advocacy group Earth Day Network (EDN) has joined forces with the March for Science to organize a rally on the national mall in Washington, D.C. “The day’s program will include speeches and trainings with scientists and civic organizers, musical performances and a march through the streets of Washington, D.C.,” according to the network’s website.